1120. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children with additional needs in County Wexford who are currently without a suitable school place for the upcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54890/26]

1200. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in County Wexford with additional needs who require but have yet to receive an offer of an appropriate school place for September 2026, based on her most recent meeting with the National Council for Special Education; the date of same; the measures she is taking to ensure that every child with additional needs has an appropriate school place for September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55977/26]

1207. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in Wexford who have applied for a special school or special class place for the 2026-2027 school year who have yet to be offered an appropriate placement; the measures being taken to ensure that every child has an appropriate school place before the commencement of the new school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55984/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1120, 1200 and 1207 together.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.

An estimated 25% of students, or approximately 240,000 children and young people have special educational needs. While the majority are supported successfully in mainstream settings by their class teacher, special education teachers (SETs) and special needs assistants (SNAs) as necessary, there remains an increasing need for special class and special school places for children with more complex needs.

The Parents Notify process has played a key role in forward planning, supporting delivery of 584 new special classes, establishment of four new special schools for the coming 2026/27 school year, and expanded capacity in existing special schools.

The NCSE has verified that 7,860 children and young people notified to them by 1 October 2025 are eligible for a specialist place for the 2026/2027 school year. The NCSE continues to work with families where children have come forward since, to secure appropriate placements. Approximately 7,000 of these 7,860 students have a diagnosis of autism and given there are generally adequate places for students with other diagnoses the focus is on new places for autistic students.

NCSE data shows that approximately 75% of those who came forward by the 1 October are already enrolled in school.

NCSE data indicates there is sufficient overall capacity to meet identified demand. However, the department recognises that places may not always arise in a preferred school or locality. The NCSE actively engages with these families to identify suitable placements.

As in previous years, students without a school place are prioritised for access to specialist placements.

My department receives regular updates on placements and meets with the NCSE weekly to monitor progress, address emerging issues and ensure every student and family secures an appropriate school placement.

Of the 584 new special classes, 378 are being established in primary schools and 206 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 28 new special classes confirmed for Wexford so far.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.